Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) on Monday withdrew from a lawsuit challenging the Northern Cheyenne Tribe's ownership of the Tongue River.

Schweitzer said the lawsuit would hurt state-tribal relations. He pledged to work with the tribe on ways to protect the river without resolving the ownership issue.

The tribe contends it owns half of the riverbed. A drilling company wants to clarify ownership because it has seven oil and gas leases from the state. The suit was filed in federal court.

Get the Story:
State staying out of river fight (AP 2/8)

Relevant Links:
Northern Cheyenne Tribe - http://www.ncheyenne.net

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